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Foundation to distribute food, clothing to region's veterans

Standard-Speaker - 12/1/2017

Dec. 01--The VALOR Clinic Foundation will serve food and distribute clothing during an outreach event Sunday from the parking lot of the former Ollie's Bargain Outlet, 702 W. Broad St., Hazleton.

VALOR was founded to support homeless veterans but anyone in need is invited to the "stand-down" event, according to Jeff Sullivan, director of VALOR in the Hazleton area.

"As part of the stand-down, we'll be setting up a clothing closet with men's, women's and children's clothes. We have everything from underwear to outerwear," he said.

A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the stand-down, which is a military reference to a time spent stocking up on supplies and rest.

Volunteers will also distribute bags of food.

"We'll have two types of food bags. One type will be for those who are living completely without a shelter. They will have a three-day supply of nonperishable, pop-top foods," Sullivan said. The other type will be for those who can cook, be it on a campfire or on a stove.

"This is open to anybody in need. They don't have to be homeless or a homeless veteran," he said.

At its September stand-down in Hazleton, Sullivan said VALOR served 90 people. He is expecting a larger turnout on Sunday.

"We are a veterans organization. That's what we do. But we do these community outreaches because it helps us to identify homeless vets," he said. At times, he said, a homeless individual will refer a VALOR volunteer to a homeless veteran.

Teams will also venture into wooded areas in search of homeless people, he said. A Disabled American Veterans van will transport folks to the event.

VALOR conducts stand-downs throughout the region in areas that are close to wooded areas where the homeless might live.

The nonprofit organization operates from the former Hotel Jonas in Kunkletown. It can house up to 13 veterans at a time with the on-site Paul's House. To date, 68 veterans have been helped through Paul's House. Sullivan said all but four of them are living independently now.

The organization also provides food and housewares to newly housed veterans.

"We fully furnish the apartment. We're talking stuff for the kitchen, as well as a television and furniture," Sullivan said.

VALOR helps with service-related paperwork, appeals and more.

"Everything we do for vets is free," Sullivan said.

VALOR also developed a retreat program for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans Unstoppable is an individually tailored life skills development program that fosters healthy life adjustments for veterans.

"Over 200 people went through our retreat program and every one of them is still alive. Forty percent of them were actively considering suicide," Sullivan said, noting that 22 veterans commit suicide daily.

VALOR is in need of new packs of men's and women's underwear, new socks, jeans, winter-rated boots and shoes, and winter jackets not constructed of leather or wool. Nonperishable food is also appreciated.

Volunteers are also needed to sort clothing and deliver furniture.

For more information, call Sullivan at 908-319-8140 or VALOR at 570-664-6468 and go to Facebook and "like" the Valor Clinic Foundation page.

Contact the writer: jwhalen

@standardspeaker.com;

570-501-3592

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